Track hanger



Oct. 3, 1939. R. E. NELLES y 2,175,087

TRACK HANGER Filed Oct.' 14, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet l Oct. 3, 1939.

R, E. NELLES 2,175,087

TRACK HANGER Filed Oct. 14, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Oct. 3, 1939UNITED STATES TRACK HANGER Russell E. Nelles, South Orange,

to The Union Manufacturing Britain,

N. J., assignor Company, New

Conn., a corporation of Connecticut Application vOctober 14, 1937,Serial No. 168,863

16 Claims.

My invention relates to the classof devices that are employed forsuspending tracks `commonly of the monorail type and upon whichcarriages provided with hoists are movably mounted above working areasfor the purpose of conveying work to. diierent localities, and an objectof my invention, among others, is the production o-f a xture of thistype that shall be simple in construction, extremely durable, that maybe readily assembled, and that Ashall be particularly effcient for thepurpose for which it is designed.

One form of a hanger embodying my invention and in the construction anduse of which the objects herein set out, as well as others, may beattained is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which Figure lis a View in elevation of my improved track hanger.

Figure 2 is a View from a point at the right of Fig. 1.

Figure 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1 but illustrating the manner ofassembling the device.

Figure 4 is a view in section on a plane denoted by the dotted line 4 4of Fig, 2.

Figure 5 is a view in section on a plane denoted by the dotted line 5--5of Fig. 1.

Figure 6 is a view in section illustrating a modied form of the device,the parts being disconnected but arranged in assembling relation.

Figure '7 is a view illustrating this last mentioned device with partsassembled.

Figure 8 is a view illustrating a general means of utilizing the device.

Figure 9 is a detail View illustrating a modification of the invention.

Figure 10 is a view in side elevation illustrating a modied form of theinvention.

Figure 11 is an edge view of the same.

Figure 12 is a view in central vertical section.

Figure 13 is a similar view but on a plane at right angles to the planeof view of Fig. 12.

In the accompanying drawings the numeral 8 denotes a supporting timbercommonly used in mill construction overhead and 9 indicates aconventional bracket that may be secured to the timber by lag bolts II)or other means. A hanger rod il depends from the bracket 9, being heldin place as by means of a head I2 in a manner common to fixtures of thistype.

In order to simplify the construction I employ a piece of wire which iscut to proper length and the ends of which are securely welded together.this being bent into the form of a single loop having parallel sides androunded ends. This 13.3 loop is then bent at its center I3 to form twoside members I4 `of duplicate construction each of which is enlarged atits end to form a loop I5, thereby creating a pair of loops spaced apartat one end of the structure. This structure constitutes a frame orclevis, the loops I5 of which are located at one end and suspensionbends I6 being located at the opposite end. The distance between thebranches I'I of the side members I4 is increased above the bends I6 fora purpose to be hereinafter described.

A saddle pin I8 preferably round in cross section, as shown in Figs. 2and 5, is provided near its opposite ends with annular 4grooves I9within which the loops lare received to form a pivotal suspension forthe frame or clevis. This saddle pin is bored and threaded to receivethe threaded hanger rod I I which extends downwardly to a considerabledistance between the sides I4. The clevis is preferably fitted to thesaddle pin by bending the frame around the pin in a manner to shapethe-loops as shown in Fig. 2, the saddle pin thus comprising a form todetermine the size of the loops.

A track pin 20 is formed of a length substantially equal to the distancebetween the outer sides of the members I4, this pin having annulargrooves 2I at its opposite ends corresponding in shape to thecross-sectional shape of the suspension bends I6. These grooves createheads 22 which are larger than the space between the sides oi the bendsI6, the diameter of said heads being substantially equal to the distancebetween the branches Il so that said heads may be passed between saidbranches and then, when positioned in the bends I6, the heads willprevent endwise movement of said pins, the bends being received in thegrooves 2|. A vertical web 23 extending from the flanges 24 of a T-barsection of track is provided with a hole to receive the pin 20, and asshown in Figs 5 and 6 of the drawings.

After the loops I5 have been pivotally mounted in the grooves in theends I9 of the saddle pin, as hereinbefore described, said pin will besecurely locked against endwise movement. The hanger rod being engagedwithin the threaded hole in the saddle pin and being turned, as by meansof a wrench applied to the rod, the wire type rail clamp may be placedat approximately the required elevation. The web 23 of the T-bar sectionof track is positioned between the members I4 so that the heads 22 ofthe track pin 29 may be inserted through the widest space between thebranches I'I, and through the hole in the web of the T-bar section andthe latter may then be placed to engage the grooves in the ends of thepin with the narrower portions of the spaces in the suspension bend, andas illustrated in Fig. 6, the ends of said bends, when the pin isinserted, being close to the flanges 24 of the track and as illustratedin Fig. 3. After the track has been thus suspended it may be leveled atsuch parts required by turning the hanger rod il as by means of aStillson wrench. The description of the structure thus far has appliedto a single suspension device, including a single wire type rail clampwith its connected parts, but it will l be understood that several ofsuch frames are commonly employed and are secured to the webs 23 of aT-rail section of track, as illustrated in Fig. 8. In the modified formof the device shown in Figs. 6 and '7 the saddle pin 3Q is formedsubstantially half round in cross section, the ends being provided withgrooves as in the device hereinbefore described. These grooves receivethe loops l5 which provide a pivotal connection between the frame andsaddle pin as in the other structure. In order to assemble this devicethe saddle pin is placed in a position as shown in Fig. 6 so that it maybe passed into the loops and then being turned substantially ninetydegrees, said loops will be located inthe grooves in the ends of thesaddle pin, thereby locking the latter against endwise movement.Otherwise the struc ture is assembled as hereinbefore described.

In order to secure the parts firmly in place I provide a seat 25 havinga hole 26 through which the hanger rod Il extends. This seat is'preferably round as to its main portion and it has grooves 21 onopposite sides shaped to loosely receive the loops i5, as shown in Fig.4 of the drawings, and it also has a recess 28 formed to loosely t thesaddle pin i8. It is flat on its end opposite said recess and therebyaffords a flat surface against which a lock nut k29 threaded upon therod Il may be screwed to retain the parts tightly in place. A lockwasher 3l may be employed if desired between the saddle pin and locknut. It will be appreciated from what has been said that the frame orclevis is freely pivotally mounted on the pin I3. Y

It will be understood that the term wire as employed herein refers toany strip material independent of its particular shape in cross section.

In the form of the invention shown in Figure 9 the saddle pin 32 isprovided with an integrally formed neck 33 extending upwardly therefrom,this neck serving the purpose of the seat 25 in the other structuresherein shown. 'I'he threaded hole for the hanger rod ll is formedthrough the neck and saddle pin, as shown in dotted lines in Fig, 9.This neck is preferably of a size to border the grooves I9 in the saddlepin, the loops l5 therein being closely but loosely associated with saidneck. In some cases this construction would represent the preferred formof kthe invention.

While the trackage is shown herein as of T- shape it is intended thatthe hanger shall be adapted for supporting monorail trackage of anyshape and may be used with any standard rail of any shape in crosssection or sections, hot or cold rolled or drawn, which may be utilizedas a monorail trackage section on which one or more pairs of singleflanged trolley wheels are made to run and such sections as may beutliized to constitute crane runways on which cranes of the underhungtype are made to operate.

In that form of the invention shown in Figures 10 to 13 the frame orclevis is formed from a strip of sheet metal comprising sides 34 havinga loop 35 connecting their upper ends. Slots 36 are formed through thesides more especially for clearance for the hanger rod Il projectingdownwardly from the bracket 9 in the manner as hereinbefcre described.The frame has the seat 25 and lock nut 29 as hereinbefore described andsaid rod passes through the saddle pin I8 as in the other structures. Aslot 31 is formed through the upper part of the loop 35 to receive thehanger rod ll and as shown in Fig. 12 of the drawings. A track pin 38 issecured within the lower ends of the sides 34, this pin being preferablyheaded at one end to engage one of the sides and screw threaded at itsopposite end to engage the opposite side, as shown in Fig. 12 of thedrawings. As hereinbefore mentioned the web 23 of the track is engagedwith the pin.

i In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes I havedescribed the principles of operation of my invention, together with thedevice which I now consider to represent the best embodiment thereof;but I desire to have it understood that the device shown is onlyillustrative and that the invention may be carried out by other meansand applied to uses other than those above set out.

I claim:

1. A track hanger including a frame composed of a single piece of wireand comprising spaced apart side members of substantially likeconstruction and facing each other and each having spaced apartbranches, spaced apart loops formed by said branches at one end of saidframe, means engaged in said loops for attachment of a hanger rod, andmeans at the opposite end of said frame to support a track.

2. A track hanger including a frame composed of a single strand of wireformed into an endless pieoe, said frame comprising side members eachhaving a loop at one end and said frame having suspension bends at theopposite end1 means within said loops for 'attachment of a hanger rod,and means within said bends to support a track.

3. A track hanger including a frame composed of a single piece of wireand comprising spaced apart side members each having spaced apartbranches, a pivotal connection for a hanger rod at one end of said frameand a pivotal connection for a track at the opposite end of said frame,the axes of said pivotal connections extending at right angles to eachother thereby providing a universal connection between said hanger rodand track.

4. A track hanger including a frame composed of a single piece of wireand comprising spaced apart side members each having spaced apartbranches, loops formed at the ends of said side members, bends formed atthe opposite ends of each of said side members, a saddle pin for ahanger rod supported in said loops, and a track pin for a tracksupported in said bends, the axes of said pins extending at right anglesto each other, thereby providing a universal connection between saidhanger rod and track.

5. A track hanger including a frame composed of a single piece of wireand comprising spaced apart side members, each having spaced apartbranches, loops formed at the ends of said side members, each of saidloops being open on one side, a saddle pin cut away on one side topermit its entrance into said loops through said openings, said pinbeing greater in diameter in one direction than the diameter of saidloops whereby it is locked when in one position, means on said pin toreceive a hanger rod, and means in the opposite ends of said sidemembers for attachment of a track.

6. A track hanger including a frame composed of a single piece of wireand comprising spaced apart side members each having spaced apartbranches, loops formed at the ends of said side members, each of saidloops being open on one side, a saddle pin having grooves in itsopposite ends to engage said loops, said pin being greater in diameterin one direction than the diameter of said loops whereby it is lockedwhen in one position against lateral movement and engagement of saidloops in said grooves preventing endwise movement of the saddle pin,means on said pin to receive a hanger rod, and means in the opposite endof said frame for attachment of a track.

'7. A track hanger including a frame composed of a single piece of wireand comprising spaced apart side 'members each having spaced apartbranches, the latter being bent to create narrow and wider openings ineach of said members, means for attachment of a hanger rod to the upperpart of said frame, a track pin insertable through the wider parts ofsaid openings and having grooves to engage the narrower parts of saidopenings whereby the pin is locked in position, and means on said pin toreceive a track.

8. A track hanger comprising a frame composed of a single piece of wireand including spaced apart side members each having spaced apartbranches, said side members each having a bend at one end reduced insize from a wider opening thereabove, a pin insertable through said'wider openings and having grooves at opposite ends to engage saidreduced openings whereby said pin is locked against endwise movement, aT-rail having a hole to receive said pin, means at the opposite end ofsaid frame to screw threadedly receive a hanger rod, and a hanger rodscrew threaded to engage said means.

9. The combination in apparatus for supporting stiff rigid trackage f atrack hanger incuding a one-piece frame having spaced apart loops at itsupper end, means engaged in said loops for pivotally supporting saidframe at said upper end on an axis extending parallel and lengthwisewith said trackage, and means for pivotal attachment of a track on ahorizontal axis transverse to the aforementioned axis in the oppositeend of said one-piece frame, said pivots being thus arranged to providea universal joint connection between the supporting means and thetrackage.

10. A track hanger including a frame comprising side members havingloops at one end of said frame, a saddle pin pivotally engaged withinsaid loops, a hanger rod extending into and rigidly secured to said pin,and means at the oposite end of said frame to support a track.

11. A track hanger including a frame formed from pressed steel andhaving a loop at one end thereof comprising part of a circle of morethan 180 forming a substantially tubular bearing, a saddle pin journaledin said bearing, means for disengaging attachment of a hanger rod tosaid saddle pin, and means for attachment of a track at the opposite endof said frame, the axis of the saddle pin being in a plane common withthe plane of the track whereby the track and hanger frame may oscillatelaterally only about the axis of the saddle pin.

12. A track hanger including a pin for support of a monorail withgrooves at the opposite ends of said pin, a second pin grooved at itsopposite ends and having means for threaded connection to a supportinghanger rod, said pins lying in spaced parallel planes, and a framecomposed of an endless piece of Wire and having loops at its oppositeends to receive said pins with their axes relatively transverselydisposed to constitute a universal joint connection between saidsupporting hanger rod and a suspended monorail track.

13. A monorail track hanger including a frame comprising spaced-apartside members connected together at their upper ends, a saddle pinmounted in the upper end of the frame for adjustable attachment to asupporting hanger rod, and means at the lower end of the frame for thesupport of a monorail track, the axes of said pin and track beingsubstantially parallel and said saddle pin mounting including spacedbearing areas, a line through which is in a plane common with the planeof the track, whereby the track and frame may swing laterally only aboutthe axis of the saddle pin and independently of the supporting hangerrod.

14. A monorail track hanger including a frame comprising spaced-apartside members connected together at their upper ends, a saddle pinmounted in the upper end of the frame for adjustable attachment to asupporting hanger rod, the lower end of the frame being constructed fora track pin connection with a monorail track with the axis of the trackpin at right angles to the axis of the saddle pin and axes of saidsaddle pin and track being substantially parallel, the saddle pinmounting including spaced bearing areas, a line through which is in aplane common with the plane of the track whereby a universal jointconnection is formed between the supporting hanger rod and the monorailtrack,

l5. A monorail track hanger including a frame formed of pressed steeland comprising spacedapart side members with a connecting loop at theirupper ends, a saddle pin journaled in said loopl and adapted toy havethreaded connection with a supporting hanger rod and the lower ends ofsaid side members being constructed for a. track pin connection to amonorail track, the axes of said saddle pin and track beingsubstantially parallel and the axis of said saddle pin being in a planecommon with the plane of the monorail track and at right angles to theaxis of said track pin, said saddle pin and track pin mountingscombinedly forming a universal joint connection between the supportinghanger rod and the monorail track.

16. A monorail track hanger including a pressed steel frame comprisingside members, a loop at the upper end of the frame in the vertical planethereof and forming a part of the frame, a saddle pin journaled in saidloop and adapted to have threaded connection with a supporting hangerrod and the lower ends of said side members being constructed forconnection to a monorail track, the axes of said saddle pin and trackbeing substantially parallel and the axis 01.said saddle pin being in aplane common with the plane of the monorail track whereby the monorailtrack hanger frame may oscillate laterally only about the axis of thesaddle pin.

RUSSELL E. NELLES.

